Emerging trends in enamel remineralization

The enamel of our teeth is heavily mineralized and undergoes repeated cycles of demineralization and remineralization. Despite long- term use of fluorides, ACP-CPP and bioactive glass as remineralizing agents, their limited properties prevent complete restoration of the enamel's hierarchical structure, leading to the introduction of biomimetic agents that mimic the natural formation of enamel while also exhibiting antibacterial effects. Biomimetic strategies include amelogenin-derived peptides, chitosan hydrogels and Poly (amidoamine) dendrimers (PAMAM). Nanotechnology integrates nano-hydroxyapatite and calcium salts into weakened enamel. At the same time, smart materials incorporate pH-responsive composites and ion-releasing sealants that target remineralization and exhibit antimicrobial effects under cariogenic conditions. While these approaches show promising results, their routine clinical adoption requires additional cost, scalability and regulatory challenges.